of-new toek



( No Model.)

R. H. BUEL.

HOT WATER 0R STEAM MAIN 0R PIPE. No. 256,543. Patentd Apr. 18, 1882.

v- 3 Int 272607 N. ravens, Pholo-Lilhugnpher, Washington, 11c.

U ITED STATES RICHARD BUEL, or'nnw YonK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR PATENT OFFICE;

TO THE AMERICAN HEATING AND POWER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

HOT-WATER OR STEAM MAIN OR PIPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,543, dated April18, 1882.

7 Application filed November 16, 1 881. (No model.)

, the following specification.

In laying underground-mains for the conveyance of steam or hot water itis customary to take off branch and service pipes for the supply ofbuildings and for other purposes at or near the points where the mainsare held immovable, or nearly so, and it is at these points alone thatthe mains are ordinarily tapped for supplying steam or hot water tobuildings, or for other purposes.

- The object of my invention is to provide mains which may be tapped atany point, such points generally not being secured so as to bepractically immovable. For this purpose I divide the underground-mainsused for conveying steam or hot water into conveying-mains anddistributing-mains, the character and purpose of which I will nowdescribe.

The conveying-mains are similar to those in ordinary use, fitted withexpansion-joints, and secured rigidly at suitable points. I prefer tolay these mains in water-tight boxes, pipes, or trenches, and to provideman holes, giving access from the street at the points where theexpansion-joints are fitted and the mains are held rigidly. At thepoints rigidly held the distributing-mains are attached and are bothcarried along in the same directionas the conveying-mains, and alsobranch therefrom in various directions. The distributingmains are alsolaid by preference in water-tight boxes, pipes, or trenches, and diii'erfrom the conveying-mains principally in the following particulars:First, the distributing-mains are not continuous, as are theconveying-mains, and one end of each distributing-main being free, noexpansion-joints or rigid connections (other than their points ofattachment to the conveying-mains) are required for the distribnting-mains; second, the distributing-mains are fitted with connectionsfor branch pipes,

arranged so as to give a connection for every building along the streetor district through which a distributing-main is run, sothat connectionwith every building can be made with even greater ease than obtains inthe case of an underground-main used for conveying cold.

water or gas; third,the water-tightbox, trench, or pipe is soconstructed that a branch of the same can readily be attached at anypoint where a service-pipe is run out.

The accompanying drawing will clearly explain the manner in which thesetwo classes of mains are to be laid.

In the drawing, A represents a conveyingmain laid in a box or pipe, B,(preferably made water-tight,) the main being covered with insulatingmaterialO, which may partly or wholly fill the space between the main Aand the interior of the box or pipe B. The main A shouldbe supported atsuitable intervals on bearings or rollers in any of the well-known ways.

U is a chamber accessible from the street through the man-hole openingD, and in the chamber 0 is an expansion-joint, R, of any well knownform, and a portion, E, of the main A, which is held immovable, ornearly so, by the anchors F, or by any other suitable means. To thisportion E is connected a distributingmain, G, provided with avalve, H,so that this main'can be shut oft" to attach a service-pipe, or for anyother purpose. This distributingmain is inclosed in a box or pipe, K,(preferably made water-tight,) and is covered with insulating materialT, which may fill partly or wholly the space between thedistributing-main G and the interior of the inclosing box or pipe K,

At suitable intervals, as at I, the distributin g-main has a connectionto which a servicepipe can be attached and run into a building orelsewhere by removing a plug, 2', or its equivalent. In fitting up thisdistributing-main G the connections for service-pipes are made at shortintervals, so that a service-pipe can be run directly into everybuilding along the street or districtthrough which the distributing-mainG passes.

The figure shows the attachment ofone service-pipe, N ,surroundedbyapipe,box,ortrench,

M, (preferably made water-tight,) and covspondin g to the connectionsIin the distribut- IOU ing-main G, and the openings in these connectionsL (which are closed at points where no service-pipes are attached bycaps or plugs b) are sufficiently large to allow the servicepipes freemovement under changes of temperature.

The distributing-main and service pipes should be supported at suitableintervals; but as this and other similar matters are well known topersons skilled in pipe-titting, I have not considered it necessary todescribe them at length.

Pipes for conveying steam and hot water laid underground have been inuse for many years, and the general principles to be observed in layingthem are well understood by skillful pipe-fitters. This invention doesnot relate to such details, but to a combination of conveying anddistributing mains and service-pipes laid for the purposes described inany of the modes which experience shows to be suitable.

It is obvious that by using mains laid in the manner which I havedescribed above servicepipes can be run wherever desired with muchgreater facility and with less expense than has heretofore beenpossible. It will be seen further that by running 03 branchdistributingmains according tothe method described above a much largerdistrict can be supplied with steam from a given amount ofconveying-main than has heretofore been the case. Generally in adistrict of a city, town, or village consisting of longitudinal streetsand lateral streets at right angles to the former, or approximately so,all the buildings in the district can he satisfactorily supplied withsteam or hot water from a system of conveying-mains in everylongitudinal street in connection with distributing-mains in everylateral street. In certain districts still greater economy ofconveying-mains (which are much more expensive than thedistributing-mains on account of their greater size, expansionjoints,rigid connections, and man-hole openings) can be secured.

While I have for the sake of simplicity described and illustrated only asingle conveying and distributing main, 1 do not confine myself to thisspecial arrangement, but include in my system of laying mains thosearrangements in which more than one main is laid in each box or pipe;and in general I prefer to make each main-both conveying anddistributing-double for the conveyance of steam or hot water to theplace of use, and for the return of the condensed steam or cooled waterto the building in which the generators are located.

Having now described my said invention, what I claim is- 1. A system ofmains or pipes for conveying steam or hotwater under ground, comprisingconveying and distributing mains, the latter connecting at one end withsaid conveyingmains and having their other end free, so as to be able toexpand throughout their entire length, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the conveyingmains, of distributing-mainshaving one end free, so that they can freely expand or contract, andservice-pipes led off from said dis tributing-mains only, substantiallyas described.

3. In a system or underground mains or pipes, the combination, with theconveyingmains, of distributing-mains having one end free and providedat suitable intervals with connections or means for the ready attachmentof service or supply pipes, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the distributingmains having one of their endsfree, as described, and provided at suitable intervals with connectionsfor service or supply pipes,

of an inclosin g pipe or box having correspondin g connections oropenings closed where there are no servicerpipcs attached by suitablecaps or plugs, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD H. BUEL. Witnesses:

TAL. DREW, JOHN MCCLURE.

